Independent Banker - January 2023 - 7

FROM THE TOP
" One of our greatest assets is our
reputation as relationship bankers.
When things get tough, people want
to be able to talk to their banker. "
Brad M. Bolton
Chairman, ICBA
Brad M. Bolton is president and
CEO of Community Spirit Bank in
Red Bay, Ala.
've always been a glass-half-full guy,
and though 2023 is expected to be
a challenging economic year, it also
brings opportunity. We simply need to
remember what makes us special as
community bankers, and with that as
our foundation, we can embrace this
season of change in four primary ways:
1. Demonstrating the
community bank difference.
One of our greatest assets is our
reputation as relationship bankers.
When things get tough, people
want to be able to talk to their
banker. They want to come into
the bank and say, " We need your
support to figure things out. " With
community bankers by their sides,
they have a real connection to
someone who can help solve their
problems, and we're able to find
creative solutions to work with
them in trying times. That's the
community bank difference, and
we should be proud to reiterate it
throughout the year.
2. Gaining advocacy wins.
Community bankers have proven
I
vocal advocates on numerous
issues facing our industry,
including pushing to advance a
cannabis banking safe harbor,
close the industrial loan company
loophole, oppose an extension of
Durbin Amendment restrictions
to credit cards and shape the
debate over the regulation of
crypto assets. I encourage you
to join us and lend your voice
to supporting these and other
advocacy efforts, which will shape
the policy landscape.
3. Embracing innovative
offerings. Technology is a top
focus, because we have to be ready
to live where our customers live:
My top three
Priorities for a
successful 2023
1. Advocacy
Get every employee involved
2. Innovation
Implement new digital
solutions
3. Education
Commit to community
bank-focused training for
next-generation leaders
on their phones. This climbing
emphasis on digital solutions is
why ICBA brought all ThinkTECH
programming, including the
Accelerator, in-house to ensure
year-round support for community
banks. ThinkTECH companies
help us serve our customers
better, expand our footprint into
a more diverse customer base and
create better adoption of services
through technology.
4. Uniting with other community
bankers. I'm a big proponent of
the power of many in advancing
community bank goals and
objectives. There is nothing
more impactful than convening
community bankers with a onemission
focus. This year, gathering
for ICBA LIVE in Hawaii and
bringing our collective forces
to Washington in the spring to
advocate for our priorities will
aid in ensuring community banks
continue to flourish.
While no one can predict just how
the year will go, I know that by staying
true to who we are as community
bankers, we will come out on top. And
that's why I'm looking forward to all
we'll collectively accomplish in 2023.
Connect with Brad @BradMBolton
independentbanker.org // 7
Photo by Chris Williams
http://www.independentbanker.org
Independent Banker - January 2023

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Independent Banker - January 2023
